Each year, Jorge and I accompany a group of Yucatan’s international residents on a tour to another area of Mexico. We have SO much fun. This year Reg and Larry will be helping us and of course Sergio will be along to keep everything running smoothly. If you’d like to join the group, have a look at the itinerary for this years trip

LIFE LONG LEARNING – MERIDA

9 DAY TOUR TO VERACRUZ AND PUEBLA

January 31 – February 9, 2012

This tour offers great flexibility. The group will travel entirely by coach from Merida to Puebla. After the tour ends, each participant can elect to either return non-stop to Merida (on the bus) or stay in central Mexico for a while longer (maybe visiting Mexico City)… and fly back when they wish to do so. Whether or not you decide to return with the bus, your purchases can do so!

Day One: Tuesday January 31st. We will depart Mérida at 8:30 am and travel along the Gulf of Mexico to Villahermosa. We’ll pass through the states of Yucatán, Campeche, a small corner of Chiapas and Tabasco. We will stay overnight in downtown Villahermosa.

Day Two: Wednesday, February 1st. After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll visit La Venta Park, where we’ll see huge Olmec basalt sculptures and many other attractions from the area. We’ll depart by 11 am, for the port of Veracruz, stopping on the way at the Lakes of Catemaco. We’ll stay the next three nights in the city of Veracruz.

Day Three: Thursday February 2nd. We’ll drive a short way from the city to Tlacotalpan to celebrate Día de la Candelaria, or Candlemas. It is mainly a religious and family celebration, but in some places, such as this town, it is a major fiesta with bullfights and parades. Día de la Candelaria, like many other Mexican celebrations, represents a fusion of pre-Hispanic traditions and Catholic beliefs.

Day Four: Friday February 3rd. Today we’ll spend the whole day touring Veracruz – the port, downtown plazas and parks. There will also be time for shopping and dining.

Days Five and Six: Saturday, February 4th , and Sunday February 5th. A short bus ride will take us to our next destination, Jalapa, where we’ll spend the next two nights. This is the capital city, famous for its cultural attractions, particularly the music conservatory and a spectacular museum.

Day Seven: Monday, February 6th. We’ll leave Jalapa at 9 am and travel for about two hours to Puebla. And after checking into our hotel, we’ll take a walking tour of the city. The evening will be yours to explore the city.

Day Eight: Tuesday, February 7th. After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit the Museo Amparo, the Talavera district and other attractions. You will have a free afternoon and evening to continue your discovery of this enchanting city.

Day Nine: Wednesday, February 8th. We’re off again… today to Cholula, a very picturesque town near Puebla. We’ll see churches galore – almost one on every corner. The plaza and the market are also interesting. When we return we’ll have a late lunch at the “Fonda de Santa Clara”, renowned for its authentic Puebla cuisine. The rest of the evening will be yours… probably to make that “last” pottery purchase!

Day Ten: Thursday, February 9th. After this morning’s breakfast our tour will be “officially” over. The bus will return non-stop to Mérida and those who wish to take this option will be well cared for by the drivers. For those who decide to stay on, we’ll be pleased to put you in contact with tour companies we know and trust.

Your Tour Includes:

Nine nights’ accommodation

All transportation by motor coach, from Mérida to Puebla

Entrance tickets to all specified attractions on the itinerary

Bilingual guide services

Tips and gratuities for bell boys & waiters

Meals: Breakfast at the hotel every morning. Farewell dinner

Not included in Tour price:

Personal Expenses, phone calls, laundry, meals (unless specified)

Air travel

Personal accidental medical coverage

Payments:

Full payment for the Veracruz – Puebla tour is due by

December 1, 2011 If you will not be in town by that date, please contact us to make alternate arrangements

Joanna, Yes, in Europe it may still be correctly spelled with a “J”, but in México, as with the name of our country, it is correctly spelled with an X. Google Mexican websites for Xalapa and then for Jalapa and you will see what I mean.
About 4 of 5 years ago the Real Academia Española decided that since México was the most populous Spanish-speaking country in the world, that it was only correct to spell México with the “x”, as we do, instead of with the “j” (Méjico) as they had always previously recommended. Xalapa and other “X” names go right along with that. After all, the government of Xalapa
spells it with an “X”, so that’s what they consider to be the correct spelling.

And besides all that, didn’t you notice my tongue-in-cheek LOL? I was pulling your leg just a little bit.

Magic Made in Mexico

More and more internationals are setting up permanent residence in Mexico. The adventure is full of excitement but also has its challenges. I wrote "Magic Made in Mexico" based on my experiences and cultural adaptation to living here. By clicking on the image, you will be directed to my editor's website. The book can be ordered directly from "Editorial Mazatlan" and also through Amazon or Barnes and Noble

Joanna van der Gracht de Rosado

Do you want to use an image or text from this blog?

For non-commercial purposes, I am pleased to allow you to use material you find on Writing From Merida. But please I ask you to let me know by leaving a comment, and a link is always appreciated.